Biomedical Engineering Workshop for High School Students

Widener to host a free workshop on the growing field of biomedical engineering

(Chester, Pa.) – In light of its new undergraduate major – biomedical engineering – Widener University will hold its first Biomedical Engineering Workshop. The biomedical engineering major, which begins this coming fall, is the sixth program in Pennsylvania, and only the third in the Philadelphia area.

This rapidly growing field combines engineering and medical technology, and requires an understanding of complex living systems to find ways to improve the quality of human life. The demand for biomedical engineers nationally is expected to grow by a robust 72 percent by 2018, far more than the 16 percent growth forecasted for all professional occupations.

“This extraordinary demand is concentrated right here, in the Greater Philadelphia area, which is one of the most prominent areas in the country for therapeutics and medical devices,” said Fred Akl, dean of the School of Engineering. “This is why we wanted to host a workshop that gives students a first hand experience in learning about the field.”

The School of Engineering at Widener University will host its first Biomedical Engineering Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.) in Kirkbride Hall on Main Campus in Chester, Pa.

This “free” workshop invites junior and senior high school students to study the world where engineering meets medicine through a rigorous but flexible curriculum, by exposing them to a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic products that biomedical engineers design and develop to improve the quality of life.

Participants will discover some amazing things being done with biomedical devices and systems, such as prosthetics and artificial organs, as well as observe some of the exciting research the faculty at Widener is conducting in the field. The faculty will provide students with a hands-on experience conducting labs such as the “lie detector test,” a green nano technology lab, and a tissue test, as well as a panel discussion with current students in the program and faculty.

There is limited space available; all interested participants can register online at http://www.widener.edu/academics/collegesandschools/engineering/outreachprograms/bmeworkshop/registration.asp, or you can contact the School of Engineering at 610-499-4037.